Nigeria's Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has attributed the persistence of insecurity in the country primarily to individuals and communities providing safe havens, support, or silence to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday night, February 1, 2026, the minister described the security challenge as a form of asymmetric warfare where the "enemy is within," making it far more dangerous than conventional conflicts.
He explained that criminals often blend seamlessly into society, disguising themselves as ordinary citizens or even trusted friends and family members.
This integration makes traditional military tactics insufficient on their own, as criminals rely on community protection whether through shelter, food supplies, intelligence on troop movements, or failure to report suspicious activities.
Key quotes from Gen. Musa include:“This is asymmetric warfare. It is not like conventional warfare where you are fighting another country. In this case, the enemy is within, and that makes it more dangerous.”
“You cannot see it on someone’s face. It could be someone you think is your friend or someone you trust. That is why people must not give criminals any safe haven.”
The minister stressed that public cooperation is essential to dismantling these networks. He urged Nigerians to promptly report instances of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and insurgency, assuring that security agencies would act decisively on credible intelligence.
Despite ongoing challenges, Gen. Musa noted gradual improvements in the security situation, crediting sustained military operations, better intelligence gathering, and increasing public support. He described peace as a "whole-of-society effort," with everyone having a role to play.
The remarks came amid broader discussions on national renewal, including a goodwill message from the Emir of Doma Kingdom, Alhaji Ahmadu Onawu, who highlighted Nigeria's abundant human capital and resources, attributing many difficulties to their underutilization rather than scarcity, and calling for collective responsibility.
The minister's call aligns with intensified efforts by security forces across affected regions, though he warned that those found aiding criminals risk being treated as accomplices.
Follow-up initiatives continue to encourage community vigilance and intelligence sharing to further degrade criminal operations.
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